When teenager Georgina Anderson started feeling stomach pains just before the school holidays, doctors thought she was suffering from gall stones.

Nothing could prepare her and her family for the devastating news that she has an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer, which affects just 18 young people in the UK a year.

But the 14-year-old from Marske, who was told just over a month ago that she had stage four liver cancer, which has spread to her lungs, is courageously battling her illness.

And she has even taken to Twitter to show her fighting spirit, tweeting: “OK I’ve stopped feeling sorry for myself now. Cancer I’m coming to get you!”

The Bydales pupil and talented musician who busks in Middlesbrough town centre, has also tweeted: “I know I’m strong enough to get through this but it’s so easy to doubt yourself and so hard to keep picking yourself back up.”

Mum Helen, 45, dad Paul, 46, and brother Joe, 20, say they’re “proud” of how Georgina, who sang at this year’s Mela, is battling her illness.

And add they have been “overwhelmed” by the support of friends and strangers who are raising cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has a specialist ward at Newcastle’s RVI, where Georgina is being treated.

Georgina, who had been looking forward to the school holidays and a trip to France with her parents and friend Amber Moore, 14, was diagnosed in July.

Georgina Anderson

Paul said: “It started off with slight stomach pain that they thought was stomach acid. The pain got a bit worse and they thought it was gall stones.

“They said she needed a scan, but even at that point they didn’t think it was serious.

“We were lucky there was a cancellation so we managed to get a scan when we did, otherwise it would have been a month as they didn’t think it was a medical emergency.”

The scan showed a growth on Georgina’s liver, and she was transferred to the RVI for more tests, when she was told the “unthinkable news” that she had cancer.

Paul, a former HSBC worker who is medically retired, said: “It was the last week of school.

“On the Tuesday Georgina felt well enough to do PE and on the Thursday she was diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s funny because you read about these stories in the papers and every phrase you come up with is a cliché.

“You really don’t think it’s going to happen to you.

“You’re in a complete spin, you can’t take anything in. It’s completely surreal.”

Following the diagnosis, Georgina began a course of chemotherapy, which doctors believe she is responding to.

And, if her progress continues, it is hoped she will undergo an operation on her liver tumour in three months’ time.

Paul says Georgina has borne the gruelling treatment bravely, adding that it’s testament to his daughter’s determined nature that she “grabbed the bull by the horns” and shaved her head as her hair started to fall out.

He said: “I felt very proud of her anyway, but the way she has been battling this already has been incredible.

“She has been incredibly strong. She has kept us going.

“She has been more concerned about her friends, about how they are coping rather than herself.”

And he said he has been “overwhelmed” by the way Georgina’s mates have rallied round her.

Georgina Anderson

From travelling to Newcastle to keep her spirits up to even organising a charity fun run along the Stray at Redcar in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, he says they have been “brilliant”.

He added that he was especially proud of 15-year-old Chloe Jackson who has shaved her head in support of Georgina.

Paul said: “It’s hard for anybody hearing someone has cancer but for children or young people especially it’s difficult.

“Her friends have all been absolutely fantastic.”

Brother Joe, a student at the London School of Economics is also raising funds for the trust.

The former Bydales head boy is being sponsored to have a Joe-hican, where he will have his hair dyed a colour decided upon by a public vote, and shaved into a Mohican.

Joe, who has already raised more than £1,200 for the charity, will go under the shears on August 30.

And a charity event for the trust has been organised in Georgina’s honour by Incidents on Teesside and the Blytheholme Club where Georgina performed in May to help raise funds for the Stockton Parent Support Group.

The night, which will see X Factor winner Joe McElderry attend along with local bands including The Halcyons, will be held at the club on Yarm Road, Stockton, on August 30.

Paul said: “People really have been tremendous.

“It has been tough and it will carry on being tough for some time yet, but we just want to thank those who have supported us, it has been a huge help.”

Tickets cost £1. To buy a ticket text ANFG75 £1 TO 70070 or from the club.